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Flood CategoriesTerms defined for each forecast point which describe or categorize the severity of flood impacts in the corresponding river/stream reach. Each flood category is bounded by an upper and lower stage (see Example 1). The severity of flooding at a given stage is not necessarily the same at all locations along a river reach due to varying channel/bank characteristics or presence of levees on portions of the reach. Therefore, the upper and lower stages for a given flood category are usually associated with water levels corresponding to the most significant flood impacts somewhere in the reach. The flood categories used in the NWS are:
*Minor Flooding* - minimal or no property damage, but possibly some public threat.
*Moderate Flooding* - some inundation of structures and roads near stream. Some evacuations of people and/or transfer of property to higher elevations.
*Major Flooding* - extensive inundation of structures and roads. Significant evacuations of people and/or transfer of property to higher elevations.
*Record Flooding* - flooding which equals or exceeds the highest stage or discharge at a given site during the period of record keeping.
Note: all three of the lower flood categories (minor, moderate, major) do not necessarily exist for a given forecast point. For example, at the level where a river reaches flood stage, it may be considered moderate flooding. However, at least one of these three flood categories must start at flood stage.
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